[Dixielandjazz] Original Dixieland One Step: Questions

[Robert S. Ringwald]

 Mike C. mike at michaelcryer.com said:

> A couple friends and I heard some good OKOM at a private party last night.
> Their first set went kinda like this:
>
> 1. At The Jazz band Ball
> 2. Darktown Strutters Ball
> 3. Shine
> 4. Milenburg Joys
> 5. Summertime
> 6. Copenhagen (tune fell apart during the bridge)
> 7. All of me
> 8. I Found A New baby
>
> The band then took a break. I asked the leader if I could make a request
> and he said I could. So I requested 'Original Dixieland One Step' he
> looked at me kinda funny and said "Sir, that is a racist song and we
> wouldn't feel comfortable playing it. You should be ashamed for requesting
> it."
>
> I know nothing about the history of this song. Can anyone please tell me
> what it is about this song that makes it "racist"? I wasn't even aware
> that this song was racist.


 Mike,

As far as I know, there is nothing at all racist about the song.

Are you sure this guy was not putting you on?  His band had just played: 
Darktown Strutters Ball & Shine & then tells you that you should be ashamed 
because you requested the Dixieland One Step?

Sounds pretty fishy to me.

I play all 3 songs & do not worry about any of them being racist.

Bob Ringwald
Currently on Bald Head Island, NC